Bethlehem Skateplaza opening ceremony today

July 16, 2010|Staff reports

The grand opening for Phase 1 of Bethlehem Skateplaza, the city's new skate park, will take place this afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.

Ralph Carp, Bethlehem's director of parks and public property, said thousands of people are expected to turn out for the opening. More than 500 skaters and bike riders are confirmed for the free skate and bike from 5-8 p.m.

The Phase 1 opening means about one-third of the 40,000-square-foot complex across from Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is complete.

Friday's festivities will include a performance by Bethlehem band Sandlot Heroes. Mayor John Callahan will cut a bike chain with bolt cutters and break a skateboard in half with his foot.

Breaking the board — called "focusing" — is sometimes a celebration of finally being able to do a trick. Other times it's a sign of frustration over not being able to master a trick.